WHO/Europe, the Austrian National Public Health Institute (a WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Promotion in Hospitals and Healthcare), EACH: International Association for Communication in Healthcare, and the University of Iowa have joined forces to deliver a unique series of webinars. These will examine the critical role of effective communication in building trust within health-care settings and the challenges health-care professionals face in effectively communicating with each other and patients.
This series also aims to inform future WHO guidance and recommendations on establishing national communication skills training programmes in hospitals, drawing on insights and lessons from such programmes in various countries.
The introductory webinar
The first webinar, titled “Introduction to trust and communication in health-care”, to be held on 8 May 15:00 – 16:30 CEST, will provide a comprehensive overview of WHO/Europe's focus on trust and the foundational role of effective communication in hospitals.
Experts will delve into the importance of patient-centred communication and how this approach improves patient outcomes, strengthens the patient-health-care provider relationship, and builds trust. Experts will also discuss the role of transparent and empathetic communication in fostering trust when navigating adverse situations. Participants will hear about the advantages of establishing large-scale structured communication training programmes and a case study illustrating the successful implementation of a provider communication programme across a hospital system, demonstrating practical applications of effective communication strategies.
Speakers include:
- Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, Director, Division of Country Health Policies and Systems, WHO/Europe;
- Marlene Sator, Senior Health Expert, Austrian Public Health Institute and WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Promotion in Hospitals and Healthcare;
- Joao Breda, Head, WHO Office for Quality of Care and Patient Safety in Athens;
- Marcy Rosenbaum, Professor of Family Medicine, University of Iowa, past President of EACH, and former Co-chair of EACH; and
- Theresa Brennan, Chief Medical Officer, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and Professor of Internal Medicine.